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The atmosphere at the annual lifeguard awards presented by the Bethany-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce was quite a departure from years past.

For 20 years, the Chamber presented awards to the guards at an 8 a.m. breakfast, then it was off to work on the beaches. But as the sun set over Fenwick Island Thursday night, the honored lifeguards could kick back and relax to the mellow sound of Ryan Tennis and the Clubhouse Band while enjoying the celebration to end the season.

"Sometimes the lifeguards go unnoticed, so for the town to put on something like this is a pretty special thing," said Bethany Beach ...